CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 A drone gets this elevated 18 (5-3,4)

8 Fish swamp island and independent country (7)

9 Subtle variations one’s picked out from pests (7)

11 Angry judge snubs last pair to point elsewhere (5-5)

12 Bankrupt bear’s first to quit (4)

14 It might be grand if I dressed up, but it’s demeaning (5,3)

16 Black deposit nearly all in the north (6)

17 Box office beginning to promote dance (3)

19 The Anglicans host a small number from there (6)

21 Red light area a suitable place for developing (8)

24 Gas board brings in restraining order (4)

25 Moving crazy topic for debate (10)

27 Within it, one can hear alto among others out of tune (7)

28 New name given to a single plant (7)

29 Reduce forms for workers (5,7)

DOWN

1 Don’t attend bed belonging to female (4,3)

2 Is monarch upset by attitude adopted by opposition? (10)

3 Extra member’s item on barbecue perhaps (5,3)

4 Boyfriend moves, avoiding FBI over there (6)

5 Part of UK avoids insignificant meat (4)

6 Leave out old hint in crossword daughter put in (7)

7 Items on sale in hosiery business German removed (5-2-5)

10 Focused, as are confirmed bachelors? (6-6)

13 Reserves collect trivial gifts for readers (4,6)

15 Leave diamonds for idol (3)

18 Troops invading country’s current affairs programme (8)

20 Ban English doctor on old ship (7)

22 Sinister ring in sumo wrestling (7)

23 Mention work pointing up lyric (6)

26 Put foot in it and pump for instance (4)